Branford/East Haven Police Departments Team Up To Prevent Theft of a Vehicle

An alert officer investigating what he believed were loud noises coming from a auto dealership at 384 West Main Street, interrupted the theft of wheels from a vehicle parked in the lot, and the recovery of an unreported stolen car just before 4 a.m. Monday, police said in a press release.

Here is the rest of the police press release:

Officer James Cox heard the noise and discovered that the suspects had fled the area as he pulled into the dealership. Cox located a car running in the lot that had the ignition tampered with and a nearby SUV on a car jack with a wheel partially removed.

Cox with the assistance of Officers Dominic Eula, Luigi Amasino and Nicholas Torino began an immediate search of the area for the suspects after physical descriptions were obtained by the business’s video surveillance system.

A short time later East Haven Police located Josh Dippini, 18, of 524 Washington Ave. New Haven and Marc Vargas, 18, of 772 Foxon Road East Haven, walking on West Main Street by the East Haven boarder.

Officers determined that both Dippini and Vargas were responsible for the theft of the stolen vehicle from Branford earlier, as well as the attempted theft of the tires.

Additionally through their investigation officers determined that Jessica Covert, 23, of 65 Russo Ave. Unit 15, East Haven was involved in the theft and later taken into custody with the assistance of East Haven Police.

Dippini was charged with Criminal Attempt to commit Larceny 5th degree, C.G.S. 53a-49/53a-125a and Conspiracy to commit Larceny 3rd degree, C.G.S. 53a-48/53a-124. Dippini was released on a PTA and is scheduled to appear New Haven court on 8/26/2014.

Vargas was charged with Criminal Attempt to commit Larceny 5th degree, C.G.S. 53a-49/53a-125a, Larceny 3rd degree, C.G.S. 53a-124, Conspiracy to commit Larceny 3rd degree, C.G.S. 53a-48/53a-124, and Criminal Trover 1st degree, C.G.S. 53a-126a. At the time of this report, Vargas was released on a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in New Haven court on 8/26/2014.

Covert was charged with Criminal Attempt to commit Larceny 5th degree, C.G.S. 53a-49/53a-125a, and Conspiracy to commit Larceny 3rd degree, C.G.S. 53a-48/53a-124. At the time of this report, Covert was held on a $2,500 bond and was arraigned in New Haven.

photo is of Vargas, courtesy of the Branford Police Department